Hanne Hellesen

Johanne (Hanne) Hellesen (1801–1844) was a Danish painter who was trained privately under Johan Laurentz Jensen as women had not yet been admitted to the Royal Danish Academy. She is recognized as one of the most successful female flower painters of her times. Some of her works were purchased by the Danish Royal Collection of Paintings, two for Kronborg and two for Fredensborg Palace. Others are in the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst.

Biography Born in Copenhagen on 20 December 1801, Johanne Hansen was the daughter of Hans Jochum Hellesen, a sea captain, and his wife Johanne Cecilie Margrethe née Gørtz. She was a private pupil of Johan Laurentz Jensen who specialized in flower painting. On the recommendation of the Royal Academy, from 1828 she received instruction in perspective from the painter Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg.

Hanne Hellesen died in Copenhagen on 9 May 1844, aged only 43.